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Stylianos Dimou

Stylianos Dimou

Position

Composition; Acoustic and Electroacoustic Music

Affiliation

E-mail
stylianos.dimou@uib.no
Phone number
+47 45543486
Visitor address
Lars Hilles gate 3
5015 Bergen
Postal address
P.O. Box 7800
NO-5020 Bergen
Norway

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Stylianos Dimou

Position

Composition; Acoustic and Electroacoustic Music

Affiliation

Short info

Dr. Dimou's artistic research prioritizes immersion and hybridity within acoustic and electroacoustic contexts. His work delves into the intricate multiplicities emerging from complexity, recursion, and re/deconstruction, creating a dynamic symbiosis between acoustic and electroacoustic elements.
Research

Stylianos Dimou is an Associate Professor of Composition in the Grieg Academy Department of Music at the University of Bergen, Norway.

Teaching Interests: Composition (acoustic, mixed electroacoustic, and acousmatic), Music Technology, Music Theory, and Analysis.

Research: Dimou's research explores the creative symbiosis between human performers and technological systems across various artistic mediums and performance practices. His work emphasizes sonic hybridity and spatial immersion, with a focus on the integration of interactive sound systems, digital signal processing, and multichannel audio. His research delves into the complex structural relationships between chromatic and microtonal aggregations in intricate sonic architectures, with a particular focus on the music of Georges Aperghis. By investigating the intersections of instrumental and electroacoustic elements, Dimou seeks to create cohesive artistic frameworks that expand the boundaries of contemporary music.

Professional, Artistic, and Academic Life: Stylianos Dimou is a Greek composer specializing in acoustic and electroacoustic music. His expertise extends to conducting, accordion performance, piano, and electronic music improvisation. His contributions to contemporary music have been recognized through various awards and distinctions. His work has received support from numerous respected international organizations, including the Fulbright Program, the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Public Humanities Initiative, the Leventis Foundation, the Gerondelis Foundation, Columbia University, the Eastman School of Music, Cité Internationale des Arts, Fondation Royaumont, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Media of Austria, Herrenhaus Edenkoben, OeAD-GmbH, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and the Lucerne Festival Academy.

Dimou's extensive involvement in the field of music includes active participation in numerous international composers' meetings, festivals, and competitions. His formal education in composition began at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Music Studies (Greece), where he completed his BMus and MM in Composition under the mentorship of Professor Christos Samaras. To further broaden his artistic development, Dimou pursued graduate studies at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music (USA), where he earned an MA in Composition as a Fulbright Scholar. At Eastman, he studied composition with Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez, Robert Morris, and David Liptak, while also receiving instruction in advanced electronic music from Allan Schindler.

Dimou was accepted into the Cursus program at the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music (IRCAM) in Paris for the 2017-18 academic year. At IRCAM, he focused on computer music programming, electroacoustic composition, and advanced electronic music, working under the guidance of Mikhail Malt. This intensive training allowed him to further refine his compositional techniques while engaging with technological innovations in the field. Following this experience, Dimou served as a Composer and Music Researcher at the OeAD organization, affiliated with the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, from 2018 to 2019, under the supervision of Beat Furrer. In this role, he developed the creative and compositional aspects of his doctoral dissertation, advancing his research in both artistic and technological domains.

In the autumn of 2019, Dimou was awarded a prestigious residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, following a selection process conducted by the Greek Embassy. This residency provided him with a valuable opportunity for creative exploration and development. Concurrently, Dimou was completing his Doctoral Degree at Columbia University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he has been a Dean’s Fellow since 2013. During this period, he engaged in intensive artistic research under the mentorship of Professors George Lewis, Fred Lerdahl, Georg Friedrich Haas, and Brad Garton. Dimou finalized his doctoral dissertation in the autumn of 2019.

Currently, Dimou serves as a tenured Associate Professor of Composition at the Grieg Academy, Department of Music, University of Bergen, Norway, where he teaches Acoustic and Electroacoustic Composition, Music Technology, Theory, and Analysis at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His research focuses on the creative symbiosis between humans and technology, with an emphasis on sonic hybridity, spatial immersion through interactive sound systems, digital signal processing, and multichannel audio. Dimou also investigates intricate chromatic and microtonal structures, particularly in the context of Georges Aperghis’s work. From March to July 2024, Dimou served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Peloponnese, Greece, teaching sound design, interactive sound systems, and digital signal processing. Previously, Dimou was a Research Assistant Professor in the Academy of Music, Hong Kong Baptist University, from January 2021 to January 2024, where he focused on Composition, Music technology, and Electroacoustic music. His research at Hong Kong Baptist University emphasized the creative interaction between human artistry and technological innovation across diverse performance practices.

Dimou's artistic achievements have been recognized through numerous awards, distinctions, and nominations. Some notable accolades include the 2nd Prize in the Fifth Regensburg Composition Competition 2022, finalist nomination at the ICE Week 2022 together with TEMPUS KONNEX ensemble, the Charles S. Miller Prize (2029) (graduate) from the GSAS of the Columbia University for artistic and academic excellence, his selection at the OPEN CALL of Festival Mixtur 2020, Honorable mention at the 2020 Call for Electronic Works by the Tesselat Composers Collective, the Award for artistic excellence as a Prominisng young Composer from the European-wide Ulysses Network / IRCAM 2018-2019, 1st Prize at the 2nd International Composition Competition “Amici della Musica di Cagliari“, 1st Prize at the International Prize for Composition “Luigi Nono” (3rd edition), 2nd Prize in the 24th Annual Martirano Award, 1st Prize and the “Audience’s Prize” sponsored by the “Bärenreiter” Publishing Company at the Weimarer Frühjahrstage für zeitgenössische Musik 2012 (International Festival for New music), 1st Prize at the 3rd International Composition Competition ‘‘Synthermia’’2009, 2nd Prize at the International Composition Competition “Ton de Leeuw 2008”, 2nd Prize at the 2nd Festival of Children Opera in Thessaloniki 2008, 3rd Prize in the International Composition Competition “Musica Domani Prize”, Wayne Brewster Barlow Prize, Excellence in Composition – Eastman School of Music 2012, 3rd Prize at the 3rd Competition of Music Composition in memory of D. Dragataki 2008,Outstanding Award at the 10th Chengdu China SUN RIVER PRIZE Composition Competition – ISCM 2014, Honorable Mention at the International ilSUONO Contemporary Music, finalist at the Finalist The Young Composers Competition 2017, Merit Award at the Tribeca New Music, Young Composer Competition, Finalist at the ALEA III International Composition Competition 2011, Runner up at the 2011 RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition, Finalist International Composition Competition Antonín Dvořák 2010-11, and Honorary mentions in the Greek Festival of Chamber Music 2007, 2009 & 2010.

Dimou's artistic vision has led to collaborations with numerous prestigious performers, ensembles, and orchestras, showcasing his versatility and ability to work across diverse musical landscapes. His collaborators include groups such as the Ensemble InterContemporain, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Gulbenkian Orchestra, the Brussels Philharmonic, the Jenaer Philharmonic Orchestra, International Ensemble Modern Academy 2014/15, 2019/20 & 2021/22, the Arditti Quartet, the Sigma Project Saxophone Quartet, the MULTILATéRALE ensemble, the Proxima Centauri ensemble, the Ex-Sentia ensemble, the Concept Store Quartet, Quartet Iberosudamericano, the ensemble Tempus Konnex, Talea ensemble, ICE ensemble, Illinois Modern Ensemble, Insomnio Ensemble, Slagwerk Den Haag, The New European Ensemble, Ensemble Risonanze Erranti, EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble, the Psappha ensemble, The ICP Ensemble, Ensemble Contrechamps, Orkest de Ereprijs, Talea Ensemble, Mivos Quartet, Ensemble Nikel, Namascae Lemanic Modern Ensemble, dissonArt ensemble, ALEA III, Alarm Will Sound ensemble, Stenhammar Quartet, Greek ensemble of contemporary music, Idee Fixe, Orpheus Soloists, and many others.

His compositions have been commissioned and presented by renowned international festivals, institutions, and composition competitions in Europe and the USA, including the electroacoustic music + digital art - MA/IN festival (2016, 2024), the 64th International festival of Contemporary Music Warsaw Autumn 2021, Festival Ensemble(s) 2021 (Paris), OPEN MUSIC GRAZ - Junge Stücke festival 2021, Australasian Computer Music Conference 2022, 3rd Internacional Festival de Música Nueva de Querétaro “Interciclos” 2021, Festival Risonanze Erranti 2021, Internationales Digitalkunst Festival 2021, 7th edition of the Symposium iX 2021/ Son & Immersion 2021, Société des arts technologiques [SAT], the Mixtur festival 2020, impuls 2019 & 2023 – International Ensemble and Composers Academy for Contemporary Music, ISACM / IKI Hamburg 2019, Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival 2019, Nomination at the New Classics Competition of Moscow Conservatory for young composers 2018, IRCAM – MANIFESTE 2014, 2016 & 2018, Gaudeamus Music Week 2015 & 2018, International Ensemble Modern Academy 2015, 2020 & 2022, World Saxophone Congress 2018, International Computer Music Conference 2016 – ICMC 2016, DELIAN ACADEMY FOR NEW MUSIC 2017, Altitude University – Ensemble Multilatérale 2017, Curso de Composición Institut Français-Barcelona Modern Project 2017, MAtera INtermedia festival 2016, Moving Classics 2016, New Music Edmonton 2015 Hear This Now Festival, Firenze Suona Contemporanea 2014, Royaumont/ Voix nouvelles/ session de composition 2013, 5th [‘tactus] Young Composers Forum 2013, June in Buffalo, International Festival and Conference 2013, Tzlil Meudcan 2013 International Festival & Summer Course for New Music Performance & Composition, Young Composers Meeting 2013, Mizzou New Music Summer Festival – University of Missouri, Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival – International Composers Pyramid, The 5th New Music Week in Shanghai 2012 and 13th Weimarer Frühjahrstage für zeitgenössische Musik 2012-19, and many more. These platforms have provided him with the opportunity to share his artistic vision, contribute to the contemporary music landscape, and engage with diverse audiences.

Stylianos Dimou’s career is marked by his steadfast dedication to artistic excellence and his deep engagement with the interplay between technology and human expression. His compositions are known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary music, offering immersive and compelling sonic experiences. Dimou's innovative approach and commitment to his craft contribute significantly to the evolving musical landscape and serve as an inspiration for future composers and musicians.

Teaching

Stylianos Dimou teaches composition across both undergraduate and graduate programs in the Department of Music at the Grieg Academy, which is part of the Faculty of Fine Art, Music, and Design at the University of Bergen.

• Grieg Academy Composition Seminar Fall 2024: Interactive Creation and Performance of New Music

Publications

Scholarly Publications and Presentations

Discography

  • Debris: Music with AI Byproducts (2022)
    Stylianos Dimou, de faux échos, Debris, curated by Roberto Alonso Trillo and Marek Poliks, Creotzmusic, 2022, Track 6.
    Available on CD, Spotify, and Amazon Music. link.1, link.2, link.3, link.4
     
  • Flute Dimensions: New Music for Flute (2016)
    Stylianos Dimou, Aenaon I, Flute Dimensions, curated and performed by Ria Georgiadou, IRIDA, 2016, Track 11.
    Available on CD, Spotify, and Amazon Music. link.1, link.2

Conferences & Festivals (Peer-Reviewed Selections and Invited Participation)

TALKS (by official invitation)

  • The Hong Kong University, HKU-Department of Music. Hong Kong (July 6, 2023)
    Research talk
    On Synergies and Creativity: an [“Art -Tech”/nological] Approach to Sonic and Spatial Hybridity
     
  • Columbia University, Columbia Summer Practicum in Public Humanities and Hellenic Studies. New York City, USA (June9-12, 2023) 
    Invited scholar: guest speaker
    A two-day presentation/ workshop on technically conceiving and designing a podcast.
     
  • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki, Greece (December 19, 2022)
    The Laboratory of Narrative Research (LNR), the School of English
    On Synergies, Sound, and 'Motion' in Hybrid Spaces
     
  • Columbia University, Columbia Summer Practicum in Public Humanities and Hellenic Studies. New York City, USA (June10-13, 2022)
    Invited scholar: guest speaker
    A two-day presentation/ workshop on technically conceiving and designing a podcast.
     
  • School of Music, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign .Champaign, IL, United States (November 10, 2021)
    Composers’ Symposia: guest composer
    rhythmicity and hybridity: an illusory duality between the acoustic and the (electro)-acoustic.
     
  • Hong Kong Baptist University, Department of Music. Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (October 9, 2020)
    Faculty Presentation, Music Colloquium
    re-defining complexity as a sonic and performance experience
     
  • College of Music, Mahidol University. Phutthamonthon District, Thailand (July 22 – 23, 2020
    Composition studio class: 2-day masterclass and guest composer presentation
    ...on reforming, deforming (ir)-regularities
     
  • HERRENHAUS EDENKOBEN. Edenkoben, Germany (March 2, 2020)
    Scholars’ presentations 
    “Harmony” and “gesture” through the coexistence of instrumental and electronic entities.
     
  • 100mentors, E-Learning. Athens, Greece (February 21, 2020)
    OTHISI SCHOOL
    Music and Artificial Intelligence
     
  • Manhattan School of Music. Manhattan, New York (January 30, 2020)
    Composers’ Symposia: guest composer. 
    on rhythmicity: reforming, deforming (ir)-regularities
     
  • IRCAM – Centre Pompidou, Institute de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique. Paris, France (October 4, 2017)
    Composers’ Symposia: guest composer.
    The genesis of structure: “Harmony” and “gesture” through the coexistence of instrumental and electronic entities.
     
  • College of Musical Arts - Bowling Green State University. Bowling Green, Ohio - USA (March 24, 2017 )
    “Praecepta” student composer organization; Composers’ Symposia: guest composer.
     
  • DELIAN ACADEMY FOR NEW MUSIC, International Academy for Composers & Sound Artists. Mykonos, Greece (June 17, 2017)
    Composers’ Symposia: active participant and presentation of my music.
    Exemplifying complexity: “meta-creation opts in favor of fusion in the genesis of . . .”

Doctoral Dissertation

  • Dimou, S. (2021). Linear verticalities: Structural symbiosis among chromatic and microtonal aggregations in Georges Aperghis' Contretemps AND les instances (2019) for diffused, synthesized sounds and large ensemble (Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University). Columbia Academic Commons. https://doi.org/10.7916/d8-8njd-pr39
Compositions

Commissioned Works (Premiers)